Kaeo: From Surviving to Thriving
Written by Phyu Phyu Win
with Robin Hogan
May 2024
A major component of GCA working to preserve and equip families in the Mae Sot community is through our Early Childhood Development Center. The ECDC offers exceptional programming for preschool age children in the community. GCA teachers and staff at the ECDC provide daily education, facilitate positive, healthy interactions between children, and ensure that working parents have a safe, reliable childcare option which allows families to prosper.
One of the children currently enrolled at the ECDC is four year old Kaeo. Kaeo is the only child of her parents and lives near one of GCA’s newest child protection centers. Both of her parents work in a factory and desire for Kaeo what all parents desire: for their daughter to make friends, develop her communication skills, and get started building a solid educational foundation while they work to provide for their family.
Before learning about the ECDC, Kaeo’s mother had difficulty managing a young child and her work schedule. Often, Kaeo was given her mother’s phone to keep her occupied so that her mom could work. Because of this situation, Kaeo’s mother observed that her daughter lacked the communication skills needed to make friends. Additionally, Kaeo was not eating well at home and her mother feared that her overall development would suffer.
Kaeo’s parents were desperately seeking a safe place for her to grow and learn.
This is where GCA stepped in. The ECDC is fully equipped to give Kaeo and her family what was missing: consistent childcare, opportunities for peer to peer interactions, nutritional support, and foundational education. Kaeo’s transition into the ECDC took a little time. At first she cried for her mother and didn’t want to eat. But the skilled staff of the ECDC showed great patience, compassion, and love. They explained to her what her mother was doing while Kaeo was at preschool, and gradually introduced her to all that the ECDC has to offer. Kaeo got to spend her days with her peers; learning from and with them. And, most importantly, the teachers know that giving a child like Kaeo plenty of unstructured, free play time will build her skills for emotional well-being and resilience.
Now, Kaeo’s mother reports that Kaeo is eating better at home, communicating verbally more effectively, and making connections with her peers. And, Kaeo’s mother is able to keep her job which helps support her family- keeping them together. This is the kind of support GCA brings to families.